PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the deployment of dozens of Nigerian ambassadors to diplomatic missions across the world, assigning key envoys to strategic countries including the United States, Iran, Israel, China, and the United Kingdom.
News Point Nigeria reports that the postings involve 31 career diplomats and 34 non-career political ambassadors, completing the diplomatic corps whose nominations were earlier confirmed by the Nigerian Senate in December.
The appointments are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic presence globally and deepen bilateral relations with major international partners.
Among the most notable postings, former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lateef Kayode Are, has been assigned as Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States.
Similarly, career diplomat Hamza Mohammed Salau will represent Nigeria in Iran, while Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu has been posted to Israel as Nigeria’s envoy to Tel Aviv.
Other prominent appointments include:
Former presidential aide Reno Omokri – Ambassador to Mexico
Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode – Ambassador to Germany
Former Minister of Health Isaac Folorunso Adewole – High Commissioner to Canada
Former Interior Minister Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau – Ambassador to China
Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State Olufemi Pedro – Ambassador to Australia
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim – Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations
Former Senator Ita Enang was assigned to South Africa, while former Plateau lawmaker Nora Ladi Daduut will head Nigeria’s mission in South Korea.
The list of 34 non-career ambassadors features several former politicians, technocrats, and public officials deployed to different parts of the world.
Among them are:
Grace Bent – Ambassador to Togo
Victor Ikpeazu – Ambassador to Spain
Paul Oga Adikwu – Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican City)
Ibok-Ete Ibas – Ambassador to the Philippines
Angela Adebayo – Ambassador to Portugal
Chioma Priscilla Ohakim – Ambassador to Poland
Aminu Dalhatu – High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
Ayodele Oke – Ambassador to France
Yakubu N. Gambo – Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
Others were posted to countries including Greece, Argentina, Tunisia, Hungary, Sweden, Austria, Japan, and Trinidad and Tobago.
In addition to political appointees, 31 career diplomats were also assigned to key missions across Africa, Europe, and Asia.
Some of the career postings include:
Nwabiola Ezenwa Chukwumeka – Côte d’Ivoire
Besto Maimuna Ibrahim – Niger Republic
Ahmed Mohammed Monguno – Egypt
Jane Adams Michael – Jamaica
Segun Ige – Lebanon
Muhammad Saidu Dahiru – India
Shehu Ilu Barde – Ghana
Aminu Nasir – Ethiopia
Abdussalam Habu Zayyad – Senegal
Ibrahim Danlami – Kenya
Bello Dogon-Daji Haliru – Thailand
Several other diplomats were assigned to countries such as Belgium, Switzerland, Morocco, Malaysia, Tanzania, Namibia, Sudan, Mozambique, Mali, and Botswana.
The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Nigeria) disclosed that some countries had already granted the required diplomatic clearance, known as agrément, for Nigeria’s envoys.
According to the ministry: The United Kingdom has granted agrément for Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu. France has also approved the appointment of Ambassador Ayo Oke.
The ministry said the nominations of the remaining 62 envoys had already been transmitted to their host countries for approval in line with standard diplomatic procedures.
President Tinubu has also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately begin the induction and orientation programme for all ambassadors-designate and High Commissioners.
The training is expected to prepare the envoys for their diplomatic responsibilities and provide them with guidance on Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities.
With the postings now approved, the ambassadors-designate are expected to begin preparations for their new assignments once host countries grant final diplomatic clearance.